HB 5280 adds $2 million from West Virginia's unspent budget surplus to fund WorkForce West Virginia's current operations for fiscal year 2026. It reallocates existing unappropriated funds (money already budgeted but not yet spent) to the department's general budget without creating new taxes or spending. This supplemental appropriation directly supports WorkForce West Virginia's ongoing programs, such as job training and workforce development services. The bill uses surplus funds identified in the Governor's budget document, as noted in the "WHEREAS" clauses, to cover operational costs during the 2026 fiscal year.
HB 5628 requires West Virginia's Department of Human Services to develop policies that prevent the sudden loss of child care assistance when families experience modest income increases. It directly affects low-income families who would otherwise lose subsidies abruptly as their earnings rise slightly, creating instability in child care arrangements. Key provisions include implementing graduated phase-outs (so assistance decreases gradually), expanding sliding fee scales based on income, raising income thresholds for continued eligibility, and establishing transitional support periods. The department must adopt these policies by January 1, 2027, and submit annual reports on implementation to the legislature.
HB 5472 formally adds mine rescue personnel to West Virginia's definition of "emergency responders" under the Survivor Benefits Act. This means qualified mine rescue teams - those meeting specific training and certification requirements - will now be eligible for survivor benefits if they die while performing mine emergency response duties, such as responding to explosions, fires, or equipment maintenance. The bill amends existing law to include mine rescue personnel in the same category as firefighters, EMS, and law enforcement for benefit eligibility. It directly affects mine rescue team members who meet state training standards and perform authorized emergency response activities. The legislation extends existing survivor benefits without creating new costs or programs.
HB 5080 establishes West Virginia's first state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program. It provides eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually for personal medical needs, caring for a newborn or newly adopted child, or addressing a family member's serious health condition, funded through payroll contributions from employees and employers. The program covers workers meeting income eligibility requirements (including self-employed individuals who opt in), with benefits calculated based on prior earnings. Key provisions include anti-retaliation protections for employees using leave, employer notice requirements, and administration by the Insurance Commissioner through a dedicated state fund.
HB 5358 authorizes the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to offer locality pay to Division of Highways employees working in specific areas where competitive wages are needed to recruit and retain staff. The bill allows employees in designated locations to receive an additional $10,000 annually on top of their regular salary, exceeding standard pay ranges for their position. This applies specifically to workers involved in state road projects, including planning, engineering, construction, maintenance, and traffic regulation. The commissioner must create a policy to implement this, but the bill does not guarantee funding or specify which areas will be designated.
HB 5051 would amend West Virginia's Teachers Retirement System to allow Tier 2 teachers to convert their accrued annual and sick leave into additional retirement service credit. Currently, the system permits some employees to use leave for retirement benefits at a two-days-of-leave-to-one-day-of-service ratio, but Tier 2 teachers were excluded from this provision. This bill would extend that benefit to Tier 2 teachers, enabling them to earn extra retirement credit by using unused leave. The change would directly affect current and future Tier 2 teachers in West Virginia's public school system, increasing their retirement benefits through existing leave balances.
SB 870 proposes a $10,000 total pay increase for West Virginia teachers over five years, distributed through annual adjustments to the state minimum salary schedule based on experience and education level. It also mandates a 25% pay raise for school service personnel (such as aides and support staff) over the same five-year period. The bill amends existing law to establish new salary tiers, with specific pay amounts listed for different experience levels and qualifications (e.g., starting at $39,057 for teachers with zero experience and a master's degree). This policy directly affects all public school teachers and support staff in West Virginia, aiming to increase base compensation through structured, incremental raises.
SB 987 amends West Virginia's Human Rights Act to explicitly prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation in employment, public accommodations, and housing. The bill adds these categories to existing protected characteristics like race, religion, and disability, defining "sexual orientation" and "gender identity" for clarity. It directly affects employers (with 12+ employees), businesses serving the public, and housing providers across the state. The legislation expands the scope of the Human Rights Act to cover these new protected classes under the same legal framework. The bill is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee after its February 18, 2026, introduction.
SB 971 establishes minimum fire safety standards for fully enclosed agritourism businesses in West Virginia, such as barns hosting events. It requires specific provisions including multiple exits based on occupant load, fire extinguishers at exits, carbon monoxide detectors for fuel-burning equipment, emergency lighting for windowless buildings, and written evacuation plans. Open-air facilities like gazebos, pavilions, and greenhouses are exempt from these requirements. The bill applies to new and existing enclosed agritourism structures seeking fire code exemptions, ensuring safety without altering agricultural property classifications.
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Agriculture
SB 724 removes the requirement that home confinement officers must be certified as law-enforcement officers to join West Virginia's Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Retirement System. The bill also extends the deadline for eligible home confinement officers to elect participation in the retirement system. This change directly affects home confinement officers working in the state's justice system, allowing them to access retirement benefits without prior law-enforcement certification. The bill amends specific sections of the West Virginia Code (§16-5V-2 and §16-5V-6f) to update eligibility rules and election procedures.
